Top Scoop Stories - June 25 2007 News Summary

Monday, 25 June 2007, 10:09 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

Today's Top Scoops – June 25, 2007

LEAD STORY:

Scoop News: PM Indulges In Wide Ranging Discussion

NZ POLITICS:
QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:
Scoop Satire: What Has David Bain Done to Anger Helen Clark?
Reserve Bank: Peters Bringing Reserve Bank Act Rewrite to Parliament
Scoop News: McCarten Rules Out Run For Mayoralty, Backs Hubbard

BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH:
Economy: Business confidence nosedives
Trade: Mutton Traders To Go On The Lamb Together in North America
Internets: TVNZ Signs with Google for new channel on YouTube
Weather: Cold snap sends power demand to record levels

WORLD:
Scoop Exclusive: Palestinians Suffer As Lebanon Unites Behind Its Army
AHRC: Welfare restrictions imposed on Aboriginal communities
Fiji Govt: Fiji Values its Bilateral Relations With NZ

COMMENT:
David Swanson: Obama Takes Over the Take Back America Conference
International Atomic Energy Agency chief: any attack on Iran ‘an act of madness’
Middle East: Israel’s new President: a war criminal

LIFESTYLE:
Cuisine: Is Fast Food A Window Into A Nation's Soul?
Americas Cup: One All
Kiwiana: Why Kiwi history is booming on the internet

Scoop News: PM Indulges In Wide Ranging Discussion

Scoop's Kevin List reports: The Prime Minister's post cabinet-press conference erupted into fireworks this afternoon and that was ten minutes before the PM had even arrived. Various sections of the media were in a right old lather over a press secretary fondling and lowering their beloved microphones. However, the stoush soon settled and the form of Helen Clark rose from behind a phalanx of half mast media mics to deliver detail of Cabinet's business. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00339.htm

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:

• Questions And Answers - Thursday 21 June 2007 [1]
• Questions And Answers - Wednesday, 20 June 2007 [2]
• Questions and Answers - Tuesday, 19 June 2007 [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00457.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00411.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00375.htm

Scoop Satire: What Has David Bain Done to Anger Helen Clark?

- As dinner-party tables and blog fora around the country know, after almost a tenth of a century as Prime Minister Helen Clark has extendend her figurative tentacles into every facet of the state. Now, with the Crown Law knee-deep in the decision to prosecute David Bain, the logic is inescapable. There's just one thing the public of New Zealand must know: what did Bain do to make Helen Clark so mad? More >> [1]

BUT SERIOUSLY:
• Solicitor General - Decision in Relation to the Retrial of David Bain [2]
• NZ Police - Police Preparations Continue For Bain Retrial [3]
• NZ Police - Bain Family Murders Dunedin CIB - Press Release [4]
• Police Association - Decision To Retry David Bain Welcomed [5]
• Greens - Fair trial for Bain a virtual impossibility [6]
• Privy Council - David Bain V The Queen - Privy Council Judgment [7]
• 95bFM: Mikey Havoc & Joe Karam on David Bain Case [8]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00323.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0706/S00282.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0706/S00264.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0706/S00226.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0706/S00263.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00439.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0705/S00225.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0705/S00307.htm

Reserve Bank: Peters Bringing Reserve Bank Act Rewrite to Parliament

- With the New Zealand dollar reaching 22 year highs overnight, crippling our export sector and further eroding our economic potential, the time for hollow rhetoric is over and real action must be taken, says Winston Peters. "In light of this, New Zealand First will be bringing an amendment to the Reserve Bank Act, before the next adjustment to the Official Cash Rate on 26 July..." More >> [1]

ALSO:
• Keith Rankin - Rankin: The Reserve Bank's Unfortunate Experiment [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00464.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00314.htm

Scoop News: McCarten Rules Out Run For Mayoralty, Backs Hubbard

Report and Images by Joseph Barratt - Amidst growing expectations on the left of New Zealand politics, former Alliance president, Unite Union head, and political strategist Matt McCarten has ruled out campaigning for the Auckland mayoralty. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00308.htm

***Keith Rankin: NZ's Economic Pressure Cooker*** http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00146.htm

Economy: Business confidence nosedives

- Confidence hit a 12 month low in a survey of over 1000 business respondents undertaken electronically by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce early last week. Key messages from the survey that asked businesses to look ahead at conditions for the next six months painted a grim picture of confidence in freefall fuelled by falling demand, skill shortages and deep concerns about high interest rates and the exchange rate. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0706/S00403.htm

Trade: Mutton Traders To Go On The Lamb Together in North America

- The announcement by PPCS that it will team up with its rivals to market lamb into the US and Canada has been applauded by the Meat Industry Action Group. MIAG Spokesman Keith Milne said yesterday that his group had been eagerly awaiting the announcement that New Zealand Lamb Companies have regrouped to market lamb and mutton. More >> [1]

ALSO:
• Meat Industry Reform Group - Lamb Marketing Plan Approved [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0706/S00399.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0706/S00400.htm

Internets: TVNZ Signs with Google for new channel on YouTube

- TVNZ has signed up to a groundbreaking partnership with Google to bring TVNZ content to YouTube – another New Zealand first for the national broadcaster. The non-exclusive partnership will create a branded TVNZ 'channel' on YouTube, offering a range of New Zealand-made short video material from current programming and the archive, reflecting the style of content popular with YouTube users. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0706/S00410.htm

Weather: Cold snap sends power demand to record levels

- The onset of colder weather has seen power demand hit record levels across New Zealand. As System Operator, Transpower recorded a New Zealand peak demand of 6919 MW (megawatts) between 5.30 and 6pm on Wednesday evening (20th June). This is 2.5% higher than the peak demand last winter of 6748 MW. New records have also been set for both Islands. More >> [1]

ALSO:
• MetService - Icy Roads a Risk for Drivers [2]
• NZ Police - South Otago: Snow, treacherous driving conditions [3]
• Nelson Media Agency - Music Event Falls Victim To Cold Snap [4]
• Wanaka Winter Marketing Group - Whiteout over Lake Wanaka Ski Fields [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0706/S00392.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0706/S00062.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0706/S00294.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0706/S00242.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0706/S00241.htm

Scoop Exclusive: Palestinians Suffer As Lebanon Unites Behind Its Army

Text & Video: "The Order Is Yours" By Sophie McNeill In Lebanon - As Lebanon unites behind its army, ordinary Palestinian civilians are left paying the price. Unable to flee as gun battles and shelling razed their neighbour's homes, Mohammad's family had been stuck inside Nahr El Bared camp since fighting first broke out between the Islamic militant group Fatah Al Islam and the Lebanese army. The army checkpoint was supposed to provide a safe haven for these desperate Palestinian civilians. Instead, Mohammad claims, this is where his journey of torture began. More >> [1] Image by Tanya Traboulsi - Beddawi Refugee Camp where refugees have sought safety.

Background Report:
• Rami Zurayk & Tanya Traboulsi - Lebanon: Siege Tightens Grip On Nahr el Bared [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00326.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00208.htm

AHRC: Welfare restrictions imposed on Aboriginal communities

I have been calling for governments to turn commitments into action so I welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to tackle violence and child and alcohol abuse in Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0706/S00414.htm

Fiji Govt: Fiji Values its Bilateral Relations With NZ

Fiji/New Zealand bilateral relations is much broader and deeper than the “hype” which has been generated particularly in New Zealand concerning declaration of persona non-grata status to Michael Green... More >> [1] ALSO:

• Fiji Govt: Interim Government Seeks Australia, NZ, EU Money For 2009 Elections [2]
• Lyndon Hood - Scoop Satire: Cautionary Tales For Pacific Leaders [3]
• 95bFM Audio - Jose Barbosa IVs Mike Field On Fiji Expulsion [4]
• 95bFM Audio - 95bFM: Mikey Havoc & PM on Fiji n Dalai Lama [5]
• Scoop News - Fiji Dominates PM's post-cabinet press conference [6]
• 95bFM Audio - Wallace & Manning: Fiji, Pacific Polcing To Suffer [7]
• 95bFM Audio - Wallace IVs PM Helen Clark; Fiji A Rogue State [8]
• National Party - The Mapp Report: The Fijian Banana Republic [9]
• EPMU - Union condemns treatment of Michael Field [10]
• NZ Govt - Fiji's acceptance of election report acknowledged [11]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0706/S00400.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0706/S00346.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00242.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00241.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00240.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00230.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00215.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00214.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00315.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0706/S00196.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00376.htm

David Swanson: Obama Takes Over the Take Back America Conference

Obama got a packed house and huge applause before saying anything about what he would do as president. For a while it was all about the influence of lobbyists in Washington, the tragedy of Katrina, the tragedy of Iraq, the need for a politics of the people... More>> [1] ALSO From the Take Back America Conference:

• Hillary Clinton Booed Again at Take Back America [2]
• Curbing the Imperial Presidency [3]
• Kucinich Comes to Take Back America [4]
• Blogging the Bloggers Panel at Take Back America [5]
• Richardson and Gravel on Take Back America [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00260.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00288.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00285.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00284.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00264.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00263.htm

International Atomic Energy Agency chief: any attack on Iran ‘an act of madness’

The latest meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which ended on Thursday, has set the stage for a new round of punitive measures against Iran over its nuclear programs. Washington is pressing for a third round of UN Security... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00232.htm

Middle East: Israel’s new President: a war criminal

Khalid Amayreh writes:To many in the West, Israel’s new President Shimon Peres is a respectable statesman and man of peace. However, in truth, Peres is a repulsive racist and war criminal who has tons of innocent blood on his handsIn 1993, Peres acquired the image of a peacemaker for his role in concluding the Declaration of Principles, better known as the Oslo Accords, with the Palestine Liberation Organization... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00287.htm

Health: Teen smoking rates halved in less than a decade

- Figures released by ASH New Zealand show that teen smoking rates have halved in the last 8 years. In 2006, 14.2 percent of Year 10 New Zealand teenagers said they were smokers, down from 28.6 percent in 1999 according to the Year 10 Smoking Survey conducted by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) New Zealand, and the Health Sponsorship Council (HSC). More >> [1]

ALSO:
• Smokefree Coalition - Tobacco control leaders to set future agenda [2]
• NZ Govt - Halving of smoking rate among teens [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0706/S00086.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0706/S00084.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00496.htm

Cuisine: Is Fast Food A Window Into A Nation's Soul?

Scoop's US Intern Kelly Smith writes on the thrill of Kiwi gastronomic experiences - 'There is no better window into a country’s culture than through its cuisine. New Zealand is no exception. The diversity of this nation is clearly shown through people’s food preferences. My first shock was seeing nearly every kind of Asian food including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Thai available at a mall’s food court of all places.' More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00307.htm

Americas Cup: One All

- Emirates Team New Zealand came from behind to beat Alinghi on Sunday afternoon, squaring the score in the 32nd America's Cup Match. Each team has one win, going in to Monday's lay day. More >> [1]

ALSO:
• America's Cup Media - Alinghi wins first race, grabs lead in Match [2]
• America's Cup Media - The 32nd America's Cup Match starts on Saturday [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0706/S00252.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0706/S00251.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0706/S00250.htm

Kiwiana: Why Kiwi history is booming on the internet

- The runaway market in historical New Zealand objects and ephemera on Trade Me is among the topics covered at the Making History in Public conference in Wellington this coming weekend. Historian Stephen Olsen has been studying the diverse and quirky range of material being auctioned on the site, and will try to explain why Trade Me has become so popular for 'trading history in public'. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0706/S00253.htm

ENDS

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